Vintage Leica Luxus II From 1932 Could Become Most Expensive In The World

Not want to bid for Jony Ive designed Leica? Here is a chance to grab a truly rare Leica Luxus II from 1932. The gold-plated camera is the only one to survive from a special edition batch of four. Marc Allum of BBC’s Antique Roadshow discovered the camera on the show 12 years ago, and he believes the camera has the potential to be the “most valuable find ever,” for the show.

It’s original owner, an enthusiastic amateur photographer received it as a gift after the World War II. He regularly used it throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s. The camera is valued at between $810,000 and $1.3 million (£500,000 and £800,000) but experts believe it could fetch well over the estimate at the auction. At an auction in Vienna last year, a 1923 Leica O was sold for a record $ $2.75 million (£1.7 million.)

The vintage camera comes with a faux lizard leather cover, a custom-made Leica Luxus crocodile skin case and brass fastening clip. Bonhams managing director Jon Baddeley said “From a collectors point of view I would be disappointed if it didn’t go for more than £1 million ($1.62 million.)”

The Leica Luxus II camera will be on display at Bonhams, London until October 30 before it is shipped to Hong Kong for auction on November 22.